Quotes About Marriage

Quotes about marriage from throughout Christian History.

If you are a Christian, you should read Decoding Nicea. Read why here.

Because the early churches seemed to take stance against sexuality even in marriage, suggesting that sex was only acceptable for the purpose of producing children, I have added a quote page on Procreation. I am personally firmly convinced that this position came from the strong influence of ascetic Greek philosophies in Roman society because it so clearly contradicts verses like Hebrews 13:4 and 1 Cor. 7:5. 1 Cor. 7:2 and 7:9 say that a solution to passion is to marry, not to attempt to remain celibate even while married!

Anonymous, A.D. 80 – 130

[Christians] marry, as do all others. They beget children, but they do not destroy their offspring. They have a common table, but not a common bed. (Letter to Diognetus)

Ignatius of Antioch, A.D. 110

Speak to my sisters, and tell them to love the Lord and be satisfied with their husbands both in the flesh and spirit. Exhort my brothers in the name of Jesus Christa that they love their wives even as the Lord the Church, (Letter to Polycarp 5)

But it is fitting for both men and women who marry to form their union with the approval of the bishop, that their marriage may be according to God, and not after their own lust. (Letter to Polycarp 5)

Justin, c. A.D. 155

If we marry, it is only so that we may bring up children; or if we decline marriage, we live continently. (First Apology 29)

Irenaeus, A.D. 183 – 186

Springing from Saturninus and Marcion, those who are called Encratites [a branch of gnosticism; literally means "self-controlled"] preached against marriage, thus setting aside the original creation of God and indirectly blaming him who made the male and female for the propagation of the race. (Against Heresies I:28:1)

Clement of Alexandria, c. A.D. 190

For with perfect propriety Scripture has said that woman is given by God as a help to man. It is evident, then, in my opinion, that she will charge herself with remedying, by good sense and persuasion, each of the annoyances that originate with her husband in domestic economy. And if he does not yield, then she will endeavor, as far as possible for human nature, to lead a sinless life. (Miscellanies IV:20)

The marriage, then, that is consummated according to the word, is sanctified, if the union be under subjection to God, and be conducted "with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and the body washed with pure water, and holding the confession of hope; for He is faithful that promised" [Heb. 10:22]. The happiness of marriage ought never to be estimated by wealth or beauty, but by virtue. (Miscellanies IV:20)

Topics

Ancient Writings

Paul Pavao

Decoding Nicea is the true story of the Council of Nicea as told by those who participated in it. Forget the myths and Dan Brown's fabricated story, Paul Pavao will show you the sources, documents, an…

The early Christians argue that the laws of Leviticus were added because of transgression and that God never wanted those sacrifices. These quotes address that topic. I am learning from these quotes a…

Christian-history.org does not receive any personally identifiable information from the Google search bar below. Google does run ads on the result page. If you click on those ads, we get a small commission, but we do not get any identifiable information.

You've seen these people who have a high blood pressure of creeds and an anemia of deeds.

The Early Church History Newsletter

When you sign up for our Church history newsletter, your private information will not be shared, and we will only use it to send the newsletter.

Email

Name

Don't worry—your e-mail address is totally secure.
I promise to use it only to send you the Early Church History Newsletter.

Citations on this Site

Unless otherwise noted, all Bible verses on this site are taken from the King James Version (because it's not copyrighted). Language, grammar and punctuation are updated, comparing other translations and taking care not to change any meanings.

Citations from the early church fathers are referenced, and the references can be read online at EarlyChristianWritings.com and CCEL.org. I often update the language on these, too, doing my best not to affect even possible meanings.

All unattributed images on this site are either mine or known to be in the public domain.

Copyright

This web site, like all published works, can be quoted without permission as long as the quote constitutes "fair use," an undefined legal term. Usually, quotes should be limited to a paragraph or two, and the law dictates that quoting more than 50% of a document is a copyright violation.